The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-10-22

"1NHy J
"And what will you doe" asked Belle
in surprise.
81 will wait on Aunt Jane. There
is no use of both OF us staying with
her."
"And why should you stay, and not
I?"
"Becsuso, if l should die, can be
better spared than you," said Mary.
go, Mary" said Belle, with tears
coming into her eyes, 81 wish l. had
your noble disposition. You are so
much better than l. Why can't be
good and self-sacriflcing like you ?"
"Hush :" said Mary gently and kind
ly. 81 don't want to hear you slanler
yourself in that way. You are as good
as am. But think you are more
liable to take tho fever than am
THAT'S my reason for advising you to
protect yourself"
"Why am I:' asked Belle.
"WeIl, your mama already has it,
and you resemble her."
Belle was convinced by this false
reasoning of her lnagnanimous cousin,
who could think OF no better, and she
went of to her room and had tub Of
carboiic acid brought in, which, she
nervous!y inhaled. Mary remained by
the bedside OF Mrs. Bradleigh, doing
what she could to alleviate her suffer-
ings and to aid nature in overcoming
the fearful malady. The fourth day
arrived and Mrs. Bradleigh passed the
crisis. The fifth day about 10 O'Clock
on sultry morning, Belle came rush.
ing into her mothers room with an
n cf a hnr hor1Sov1n
face.
"Good heavens ~ she cried, "Nlary,
I've got the fever. I'm cOld-I'm
shivering."
"It may not be fever" said Mary
calmly. "Probably you are only fright
ened.''
"I'm not frightened as much as you
think. But know it is fever. Oh! 1
shall die. l know It,"
"It is no reason you should die, even
if you have the fever. Come, cheer
up, and do not be alarmed. BE brave,
and you will recover. Your mama is
out of danger, and will soon be up, un-
less she should relapse. Get TO bed,
and 1 will nurse you too, and bring
you through, il you will not become
frightened. The will has a great deal
to do with it, you know. Determine
to struggle for your life, and have not
the least doubt you will come through
all right"
go, Mary, you are so good and no.
ble," said Belle bursting into tears.
| 1'Sometitnes, l hate myself. 1t makes
no difference if ! should die. ! am so
| mean."
"You do yourself gross irjus.icc,' y
said Mary.
"I know my own heart" said Belle.
go, Mary, you don't know how you
have heaped Goals of fire on my head"
81 do not understand you," said
Mary in surprise.
"I know you do not"
:tCalm yourself, my dear Belle, If you
want to make a successful fight against
the enemy. Come, get into bed at
once"
Belle seemed to obey mechanically,
and permitted her gentle cousin 10 do
with her rs she pleased. She lay down,
anu in two or three hours the fever
rose. Then, She became greatly
alarmed.
"Mary," she said, "come closer 10
me. l fear | am going to die, and !
have something to tell you, before !
leave you. l know you will despise
me, but ! can't help it. 1 can never
die satisfied without telling ii, and
must do it,"
''Tell nothing, my dear Belle; hut
keep quiet, and try to get well. You
have good constitution, and can con
quer, IL you will. Be brave, and keef
quiet"
81 must tell you, ",,said Belle quickly
'.while l have my senses. l am burn.
ing up, and l cannot stand this awfu
pain much longer. Do not interrupt
me, but let me tell it,"
"Weli, tell it," said Mary kindly, Ct"
it will be any relief to YOU"
80, Mary cried Belle piteously, 81
have done you a great injury, and
cannot ask you to forgive me, for l dc
not see how you can.''
'I checrfully forgive you now,' sale
Mary, ''f you have done anything Il
forgive"
"But you have no idea what ii is
and ! dread to tell you. o, how cal
you forgive mc!'
"Hou need have no fears. Tell it
whatever it may be, and relieve you
mind.'
'ISelieve my conscience" said Bell
excitedly. 81 have seen no peace fo
months past"
"Why, thought you were enjoying
} yourself" said Mary in surprise.
2 "I have told you more than once tha
I l was unhappy and, at times, perfect!
hln